WHAT IS THC-P?

September, 2023

The newest cannabinoid that excites hemp researchers is THC-P and THCP products, also known as tetrahydrocannabiphorol.  As you may have guessed from its name, THC-P is yet another hemp derivative to join those already booming on the market.  Unsurprisingly, THC-P is unique from all of the others, with properties that set it apart and make it a worthy addition to the bustling industry.

WHAT IS THC-P?

The most notable characteristic of tetrahydrocannabiphorol is, to nobody’s surprise, its psychoactive activity, as this is always the aspect of a THC cannabinoid that gets the most interest.  So, what is the psychoactive nature of THC-P?  Well, researchers found that it’s 30x more efficient when it comes to binding to CB1 receptors than delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9 THC).

CB1 receptors are the cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system.  Cannabinoid receptors are a component of the endocannabinoid system, which is a widespread bodily system that keeps the body in homeostasis.  It sends each cannabinoid to specific cannabinoid receptors located throughout the body, where these compounds bind to the receptors to regulate specific actions of the body.  Cannabinoid receptors fall into two categories: 

  • CB1 (nervous system)
  • CB2 (immune and digestive systems)

Intoxicating cannabinoids like delta 8, delta 9, and now THC-P bind specifically to CB1 receptors to produce psychoactive effects.  Therefore, tetrahydrocannabiphorol’s unique competence at binding to CB1 receptors implies that it’s more psychoactive than delta-9.

What are the effects of THCP on the body?

Due to its ability to bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors, THCP can produce a variety of effects on the body. This may include:

  • A feeling of euphoria
  • A deep relaxation
  • An improvement in appetite
  • Potential pain relief
  • Sleep improvement potential

Please note that the effects of THCP may vary depending on the dose consumed and individual tolerance.

THC-P BENEFITS

As we all know, there is a lot more to consider regarding cannabinoids than whether or not they can get you high.  For instance, CBD is completely non-psychoactive, and yet it’s an enormously popular cannabinoid because of its properties pertaining to functions of the body including mood, sleep, and pain.  

Because of the function of cannabinoids in relation to the ECS, these compounds can be enormously valuable in terms of their effects that relate to how we feel, both physically and mentally, and many people who use cannabinoids do so not for the high that they can produce, but for their other properties.

That being said, tetrahydrocannabiphorol is a cannabinoid that we expect to learn a lot more about in the future, as researchers will undoubtedly want to do more studies to clarify its individual properties.  But, the same team that discovered THC-P did do some tests on it to figure out what it’s capable of outside of being extremely capable of yielding a strong psychoactive response.

The piece of data referenced above shows the results of these preliminary studies.  Right now, we have reason to believe that THC-P products yield similar effects as delta 9 THC, only perhaps stronger.  This means that it’s shown to have unique effects on pain levels, nervous system function, mood, and appetite, which are all properties long associated with delta 9.

Of course, it’s worth noting that if THC-P products  are capable of yielding particularly powerful psychoactive effects compared to delta 9 THC, anyone attempting to try it must be aware of its intoxicating potential before taking it.  In fact, any psychoactive cannabinoid requires that the user develop a tolerance to its effects by starting with low amounts and gradually increasing serving sizes over time, because psychoactive compounds can make a person feel “too high” if they’re not used to it.

WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF THC-P?

Out of about 150 or so cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, there are some that get a lot more attention than others.  Without a doubt, cannabidiol CBD is the star, along with THC, which is far more trace but notable, nonetheless.  However, cannabis analysis research has gotten a lot more advanced over the years, fueled by changes in law and a growing interest in the hemp market. 

As a result, scientists are frequently discovering new compounds in the hemp plant that offer unique properties that are worth exploring.

A lot of the cannabinoids that have entered circulation in recent years have been known of by scientists for decades. Cannabidiol (CBD),  cannabigerol  (CBG), and of course, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have all been researched and long analyzed. 

Tetrahydrocannabiphorol, on the other hand, is actually an extremely new discovery.  In fact, it wasn’t known of until 2019, when a group of Italian researchers stumbled upon it while researching hemp.  The initial study regarding THC-P was released on December 30 of 2019, to be exact.

Tetrahydrocannabiphorol’s discovery was an accident, and the result of the Italian research team applying mass-spectrometry and liquid chromatography techniques to a sample of hemp.  These two techniques are used for biological analysis, to better separate individual compounds so that they can be examined in a more precise and isolated way.  This allows cannabinoids to isolate so that their individual properties and characteristics can be explored.

Once these processes were applied to the sample, THC-P emerged, and so the team decided to analyze it more closely to understand its properties.  THC-P is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in cannabis, meaning that it’s always been there, and we just never knew about it.  It’s not a synthesized cannabinoid like THC-O, meaning that it’s completely organic.

IS THC-P SAFE?

THCP is a new compound to be studied more in-depth within the next few years. However it is known for its ability to interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors in our brain, leading to changes in our perception and mood and anecdotal evidence suggests that THC-P is a very strong compound that should not be taken lightly. That said, the individual experience can vary considerably depending on the dose consumed and personal tolerance. Some people have reported a more intense feeling of euphoria than that associated with THC, while others have reported more moderate effects. It can be a very beneficial compound, but we also strongly recommend starting small and increasing over time. 

THC-P SIDE EFFECTS

The side-effects of tetrahydrocannabiphorol are still hidden to an extent.  Again, this is a new cannabinoid and exclusive short-term and long-term THC-P side-effects have yet to be documented properly. 

THC-P has not been described to have any extreme side effects at this time, and most do not usually have negative effects. However, since THC-P is similar to THC, we can assume that when side-effects occur, they are pretty much correlated to include the following:

  • Paranoia
  • Anxiousness
  • Self-consciousness
  • Sleepiness
  • Fatigue
  • Alertness
  • Dry mouth
  • Red eyes
  • Memory loss (temporary)
  • Sickness
  • Vomiting

As mentioned earlier, tetrahydrocannabiphorol binds effectively to your CB1 receptor, hence those THCP side-effects might be more pronounced.  That is why care and consideration should be taken if (or when) you choose to consume any THC-P products.  This means knowing your body and above all else, speaking with your doctor first before taking it, especially if you’re taking prescription medications.  Like any other cannabinoid, it could interfere with the CYP3A4 enzyme that’s responsible for metabolizing half of the meds we take.

Precautions for use and contraindications of THC-P

Even if THCP is known for its promising effects, it is important to consume THCP with caution. If in doubt, do not hesitate to consult a health professional. THCP products are prohibited for pregnant or lactating women as well as minors. It isalso advise you not to drive or practice dangerous activity within hours of THCP absorption.

IS THC-P LEGAL?

The legality of THCP varies from country to country and often depends on how local laws define cannabis and its components. At the time of this article being written, no legislation in Cyprus is singling out THC-P.

All cannabis products stemming from Industrial Cannabis (cannabis sativa L.) with THC content below 0.2%, maintain a legal status as they are protected by the Law on The Production and Marketing of Industrial Hemp and the EU legislation, thus making them 100% legal. However, it is always important to check local legislation before consuming or buying THCP products.

Because THC-P products currently are produced from hemp, this makes things even more complicated. According to the Cypriot legislation all hemp derivatives with content below 0.2% THC are legal, with none of the literature making a distinction between naturally occurring and synthesized compounds taken from the plant.

At the present moment there are new THC-P products releasing daily, which means you could find out what it potentially offers in terms of its “one-of-a-kind high”. 

BEST PLACE TO BUY THC-P PRODUCTS?

Hands down, the best place to buy THC-P products is online at klostiki.com. Not only because of the high quality products and amazing reputation. The customer service is top notch, with almost 24 hour email and phone call availability for any questions.

There is a lot of buzz over tetrahydrocannabiphorol throughout the hemp industry, but it’s not widely available on the market yet, except for Klostiki who is usually the front runner on safe and exciting new compounds.  Like any new discovery in the hemp plant, THC-P requires time for companies to master their extraction techniques to yield quality and pure THC-P extracts that can then be used to formulate products.

That is why Klostiki works in advance with experts in their fields, to get these products perfected and ready to use with lab results and COAs cleared and clean. These products must also be tested to make sure that they are appropriate for widespread public use, and Klostiki makes sure that this is done correctly.

This means that we definitely recommend buying THC-P products from Klostiki in the near future.  Companies will undoubtedly want to take advantage of the increased attention that this cannabinoid is being given and offer their versions of THC-P formulas. However, we can stand behind Klostiki and give them props for making such an amazing THC-P product.